~Bella~

I burrowed farther under the thick duvet, inhaling deeply with a contented sigh. The blanket smelled like Edward. Clean, warm, and citrusy. He always smelled so good. I looked around the open space in wonder.

Edward had a secret apartment. I knew he owned the building. The bottom floor was commercial rentals, the next two floors were for his company, and the top floor had a small gym we all used and a compact apartment where visiting clients could stay. I always assumed, like everyone else, the rest of the floor was storage. Never had I thought there was another apartment hidden away.

The space was open and uncluttered. The large couch I was sitting on and a comfortable looking chair sat beside a wall with a gas fireplace, and a huge flat screen hung over it. Behind me were a simple kitchen and a door I assumed led to a bathroom. At the far end of the room was a step up to a platform that held a massive bed. When Edward had pulled off the duvet, pillows fell from the bed, tumbling to the floor. I could count six from where I sat. I tried not to giggle—it would seem Edward liked to snuggle at night.

The door opened and he strode in, his gaze finding mine. His frown eased as if he was relieved to see I was still there. He carried a box over to the counter and pulled out some items, muttering to himself as he filled the coffee pot and grabbed some mugs from the cupboard.

"Can I help?"

"No. I can make a coffee, Bella. And I want you warmed up." He slammed the mugs down and stormed over to the couch. "What would have happened if I hadn't come back?"

"I would have managed." I was confused by his sudden anger. "I was perfectly safe, Edward. The building is locked, there's heat in the main office and lights. I had a place to sleep."

He thrust a container toward me. "And half a sandwich."

I tried not to laugh. "I was going to break into the container of cookies I left you if I got hungry."

"This isn't funny, Bella."

"Why are you so upset?"

He sat down beside me. "I just heard on the radio, through my phone, the storm is going to get worse. They're expecting it to shut down the city for a few days. The building may lose power." He met my eyes. "You would have been trapped here alone for days."

I pulled my hand out from under the duvet and rested it on his arm. "But I'm not alone. You're here."

He looked down at my hand, wrapped his fingers around it, and lifted it to his cheek. The roughness of his stubble scraped against my palm. "I can't even think of you being here alone with no power or heat. All by yourself on Christmas, stuck here." He turned his head, dragging his lips over my palm. "And I wouldn't have known."

I tried to ignore the way my heart rate picked up at his touch. The way his warm breath felt drifting over my skin and the concern in his voice.

"It's okay, Edward. None of that happened."

"Does your family know you're here—that you're okay?"

I pulled my hand away, looking around the room, not meeting his eyes.

"Yeah, it's all good." I looked over to the kitchen. "Is that coffee ready?"

He frowned, but stood. "Of course."

He brought over the coffee, and I gratefully accepted the cup. I had been so engrossed in my task I hadn't noticed how cold I had gotten. Now I was warming up, I felt the chill deep in my body. I wrapped my hands around the mug and sipped in appreciation.

"You make good coffee, Edward. Maybe you don't need me anymore."

"I tore open the package and added water. I can handle that, my girl. Don't even joke about the rest. I would be lost without you."

I felt my cheeks redden at his tone. It sounded low, and husky. I dropped my head, startling when his fingers slipped under my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"I mean that. I would be lost without you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Good."

I shivered, and Edward stood, striding across the room and disappearing though the door. When he came back, he held a thick sweatshirt in his hands. He held it out. "This will be warmer than your blazer."

I struggled out of the duvet and stood, shrugging off my blazer and accepting the sweatshirt. I pulled it over my head, cursing when my hair got tangled as I fought to drag my arms through the endless sleeves. Edward chuckled, and I felt his fingers lifting my hair and tugging the shirt into place.

"There."

I stared up into his eyes. The green glittered in the dim light, and his expression was inscrutable. His hands lingered on my shoulders, then he jerked away and stepped back.

"Back under the duvet."

Once again, his scent was all around me. I tried to be discreet while I sat back down, pulling the duvet over my knees and inhaling.

"Thank you."

We sat quietly, listening to the storm. I turned to him. "What about your plans, Edward?"

He shrugged. "What about them?"

"Aren't you going to your sister's?"

"No."

"Oh, they are coming here? Is that why you didn't have me book you a flight?" My gaze flew to the window. "Were they supposed to fly in today?"

"No." He sucked in a deep breath. "I'm staying here this year, Bella. I have plans at home."

My eyes burned. He was staying here. No doubt he had plans with his latest girlfriend.

"I'm sorry." I gasped softly when I realized what that meant. "Oh, no! Your plans have been ruined because of the storm!"

He sighed and leaned back. "I had no real plans, Bella. Except to catch up on some work and have a little down time. I planned on going to Alice's for New Year's. I'm sure the airport will be back to normal by then."

"I don't understand. You were going to be alone?"

"Yes." He ran a hand through his hair. "I love my family; I really do. But I didn't want to be the odd man out—again. The one alone in a room of loving couples and complete families. Not this year."

His voice was so sad, and without thinking, I reached for his hand. "I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't know."

"Of course you wouldn't." He squeezed my hand. "I don't discuss my private life with anyone." He tilted his head to the side. "You're the only one who knows I'll be in town."

"And I won't tell anyone."

He chuckled. "Since we may be stuck together, I suppose it's a moot point."

"I suppose."

"What about your family, Bella? Your plans? Have you let them know you're safe?"

~Edward~

She didn't meet my eyes again, her gaze skittering away. I swallowed the last of my coffee and set down the mug. I picked up her hand, noticing in an offhand way, how natural it felt to hold it.

"What aren't you telling me, Bella? Do we need to try to reach some people and let them know you're safe?"

She finally met my gaze, and I saw her pain. "There is no one to contact, Edward."

"Your parents?" I asked, confused. I knew they were divorced, but Bella kept in contact with them. She had told me many amusing stories of her mother's antics.

"Renee is on a Buddha kick, and is away on a trip 'finding herself', and Charlie is spending Christmas in Canada with his new wife's family. I wasn't included in the invitation."

She wasn't included? What kind of bullshit was that?

I kept my voice calm. "What were your plans?"

"I had none, except wearing my pajamas and watching movies." She smiled bravely, wiping a stray tear off her cheek. "So not much different from being stranded here. Except of course, I don't have any pajamas."

I held my anger in check. I chose to be alone, but Bella wasn't given a choice. Her parents both deserted her.

"What about your friends?"

She lifted one shoulder. "Much like you, I didn't feel like being a fifth wheel again. I decided I preferred to be alone."

I hated the thought of her being alone. Thinking of her sitting at home on her own, all through the holidays, seemed so wrong, and it bothered me immensely. I was suddenly grateful for the storm I had been cursing only moments ago. It brought us together, and despite the circumstances, I was thrilled at the chance to spend some time with her.

"You can't go home."

"I realize that."

"I can't get out of here, either."

"So it would appear."

"Well then, Ms. Swan, I guess we're stuck together."

A smile pulled on her lips. "I guess so."

"I don't suppose you have a turkey in that massive purse you carry around? A spare tree or decorations?"

"Sorry, no."

"I have a few things in the fridge."

"We have cookies."

I pursed my lips. "I suppose I could be persuaded to share."

"I promise to make you more."

I smiled at her. "Okay then."

~o0o~

"Are you cheating?"

I smirked, draining my wine. We were lying in front of the fire, playing checkers with a board I made from a piece of cardboard and cookies for the checkers. Pieces kept going missing.

I picked up another "checker" and shoved it in my mouth. "No."

Luckily, I had several bottles of wine on hand. I had a few groceries in the cupboards, including a couple frozen pizzas in the freezer. We raided the vending machine downstairs, bringing a hoard of snacks with us. A search of the kitchen in the office gave us peanut butter and a half loaf of frozen bread.

"Breakfast!" Bella crowed. I laughed, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless. She was adorable. She seemed as happy to be stranded with me as I was with her.

What should have been a rather lonely, work-filled evening, had instead, been filled with Bella and her delightful company. I had her alone. There was no one watching, no one to listen to what we said to each other. Just us.

I loved it.

I made stupid jokes to make her laugh. We talked about our world outside the office. I opened up to her the way I never had with anyone else. I knew, without a doubt, Bella would keep my confidences. I was surprised to learn how solitary a life she led. She was a favorite among the staff, and I assumed she was surrounded by friends outside the office. She always seemed happy and busy, but as I was discovering, she was as alone as me. She preferred reading and quiet pastimes to fill her life. I had to admit, I was relieved to find out there was no man in her life and hadn't been for a long time. I knew she was shocked to hear how similar my life outside the office was most of the time. Aside from the dinners I had to attend, I was usually at home alone or here working.

I adored her even more as the hours passed. She was smart, funny, and entertaining. She was also incredibly sexy, wearing my shirt with her hair falling around her shoulders. Every time she pushed it away from her face, I had to resist reaching out and touching the soft-looking curls.

When the power cut out, she had scrambled to her feet with a small gasp. I stood, finding her in the dark, rubbing her arms.

"It's okay, Bella. The building has a backup generator for the servers. The power will kick back on in a minute."

"Okay."

"It's programmed to keep the power where it's needed the most. The office, and up here, will have minimal draw. I have some candles we can use, and the only heat we'll have, will be the fireplace. I have some other blankets."

Together, we found and lit the candles, and dragged the sofa close to the fireplace. She insisted on coming downstairs with me to check on the server room. Once I was certain all was working, we returned upstairs.

She held my hand in the dark of the stairwell, our only light, the beam of the flashlight. I liked how her palm felt tucked into my hand.

The small apartment felt warm compared to the rest of the building, and I was grateful I had put in the fireplace. I also used the lack of other heat as an excuse to stay close to her.

Her eyes narrowed at me. "You are eating all the chess pieces, Edward. That is cheating."

"They're too good to resist."

She rolled her eyes, and pulled at the sleeves of my sweatshirt.

I'd had enough wine my filter was low. Damn the consequences.

"You look good in my shirt," I observed with a lazy grin.

"Oh."

"Cute. Sexy, even."

She laughed, pushing herself up on her knees. "I am never sexy, Edward. That's the wine talking."

I gaped at her. "No, that is the truth. You're the sexiest woman I know, Bella."

Now she gaped at me. Leaning over, she grabbed the bottle and stood, walking to the kitchen. "You're cut off."

I pushed off the floor, following her. She turned, gasping at my closeness. I crowded her, pushing her against the counter. "You are sexy."

"Yep. Really sexy."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why don't you believe me?"

"I have a mirror."

"Then you need to look closer."

Our gazes locked. The air around us grew heavy, pulsating with its own beat.

"What part of me is so sexy, Edward?" she whispered, the wine making her brave.

I knew I should back off—laugh and tell her to figure it out. But I couldn't. I pressed nearer, leaning on my hands, our bodies almost touching. Candlelight flickered across her face, the soft longing in her eyes evident as she looked up at me. The same longing I was feeling.

"Where will I start? Your beautiful eyes? The way your face lights up when you smile? How I feel when I hear you laugh?"

She exhaled shakily.

I lifted my hand, pulling on a long strand of her hair, wrapping it around my finger. "Your hair is gorgeous. Like molten chocolate. I want to touch it all the time. Pull it out of the tidy knot you have it in at work and watch it fall down past your shoulders, the way it is now."

She shivered, her hands moving, clutching at my waist.

"I love how you look in your little suits. All business like and serious. But. So. Sexy." I lowered my mouth to her ear. "It drives me crazy."

"Edward . . ."

I was too far-gone. She was so close, and I wanted her closer. "Do you know how often I imagined bending you over my desk and removing one of those little suits? Burying myself inside you and hearing you gasp my name?"

She whimpered.

"You are the epitome of sexy to me, Bella. Everything about you draws me in. Your voice. Your smell. There is nothing about you that doesn't call to me."

She stared at my chest, her fingers moving restlessly on my sides. I wanted them everywhere. I slipped my fingers under her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"What are you thinking? Tell me."

"You go out . . . you have lots of girlfriends. Beautiful ones. Why would you be interested in me?"

I laughed low in my chest. "I've had relationships in the past. I'm not a monk. But since the day you entered my life, Bella? No one. I've tried. God knows I've tried. But they aren't you. I can't stop thinking about you, and at the end of the evening, I drop them home and walk away."

"I had no idea."

"I know. I simply let the rumor mill churn. It's easy to assume, right? I'm well off, single; therefore, I'm either a player, or gay. There is never a lack of women I can call to join me at one of these awful dinners I attend, but that is all it is." I shrugged. "They aren't you."

"But . . ."

I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm laying it all out there, Bella. It's just us. No one knows we're here. No one has to know."

"Your rules . . ."

". . . are there because I watched a friend go through hell when his relationship blew up and it got ugly at work. The woman ruined him both personally and professionally. She even went so far as to sue the company where they worked. I swore I would never allow that sort of disharmony in a business I ran. It affected morale in a very bad way. It was never because of something that happened to me."

"I thought—I heard . . ."

"I know the rumors. I choose to ignore them. Let the staff think what they want."

"So you want, what, a fling with me? Some secret one-night stand we never talk about?"

I could hear the hurt in her voice. I didn't want her to think that way.

"No. I would never be satisfied with one night with you."

"What are you asking from me?"

I lifted her to the counter, standing between her legs. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.

"I am asking nothing, if you don't want to give it. I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I'm so tired of fighting against this . . . pull I feel toward you. Of trying to stay away from you."

She turned her head to my neck, her lips pressing to the skin. "Then don't," she breathed into my ear.

I crashed my mouth to hers. Yanked her up so hard, our chests melded. Her taste exploded on my tongue. Her scent—that light floral fragrance that had driven me mad for months—swirled around me. I buried my hand in her hair, tilting her head, deepening the kiss. I knew I was being too forceful, too fast, but I couldn't stop. I had wanted her far too long, and it had been months since I had been with anyone.

Because Bella was the only one I wanted.

She weaved her fingers into my hair, tugging on the short strands. She whimpered low in her throat, the sound spurring me on. I slid my hand under her ass, lifting her from the counter. She wrapped her legs around me, our mouths never breaking apart. I carried her to the bed, lowering her down to the mattress, hovering over her. Her mouth was pink and swollen from mine. Her lips glistened in the dim light.

"Tell me to stop."

She reached for me, pushing at my sweats.

"Tell me this is too fast."

She pulled my shirt over my head. I tore the sweatshirt off her torso.

"I want to make you mine, Bella." I tugged off her yoga pants, revealing long, slender legs.

"Shut up and start then, Edward."

I sat back, arching an eyebrow at her. "Anxious, baby?"

She traced a finger over my chest, making me shiver.

"I want you inside me."

I fisted her shirt, tearing it away. Her lacy lingerie met the same fate. Wisps of lace and pretty satin scattered around us. I stared at her, naked and yearning, waiting for me. Her nipples were rosy and tight, her chest rising fast with her accelerated breath.

"You are so beautiful."

She sat up, wrapping her hand around my aching cock. Slowly, she stroked me. My head fell back at the pleasure of her touch.

"So are you."

I groaned. Bella kissed and licked her way up my neck, swirling her tongue on my skin, using her hands on me the whole time. Her breath was hot on my ear.

"Fuck me, Edward. Please."

In a second, she was under me. Hearing those dirty words out of that sweet mouth cranked me higher than I had ever experienced.

I devoured her. My mouth tasted every inch of her body. I memorized the feel of her—all her dips and curves. The way her skin stretched over her muscles. How her back arched trying to get closer to my mouth as I teased her tight nipples. I wound my fingers into her hair and gripped her hip as I eased forward, my cock nudging her entrance.

I dropped my head to her shoulder. "Baby, we need to slow down . . . I need to get a condom."

"I'm covered."

Her heat barely surrounded me, the tip of my desperate cock right there, needing more. "I'm safe," I promised. "It's been so long . . ." I hissed as Bella shifted her hips, drawing more of me inside her. "So long," I rasped.

"Now, Edward. Please."

I lost myself to her and thrust forward. I set a punishing rhythm. It was as if I was claiming her with my body. I drove into her, hard and fast. She gripped my shoulders, matching my movements and gasping my name. I gripped the headboard, tore at the sheets, and pushed the pillows off the bed in my passion. I roared out my pleasure, spilling deep within her, finally stilling. I rolled, dragging the blanket around us, wrapping her close.

"Mine, Bella." I hummed. "You're mine."

She placed a kiss on my damp skin. "Yours."

Last chapter will post tomorrow. Thank you for reading. Thanks to Midnight who worked on this despite the craziness of the season. Happy New Year to you all!